Method of human-machine interaction by combining touch and contactless controls

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for interacting with an electronic and/or computer device comprising a command interface provided with capacitive sensors disposed in order to detect command objects, where said process comprises steps of: (i) searching ( 40 ) for objects described as contact in contact with the command interface surface; (ii) searching ( 41 ) for objects described as hovering at a distance from said command interface; and (iii) executing a command described as combined ( 43 ) when at least one contact object is present in at least one predefined contact area and at least one hovering object is present in at least one predefined hovering area, where said combined command ( 43 ) takes into consideration at least some information concerning said at least one hovering object. 
     The invention also relates to a command interface and a device implementing the process.

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The present invention relates to a process for human-machine interactionwhich implements combinations of tactile and contactless commands. Italso relates to a human-machine interface implementing the process, andthe device incorporating the interface.

The domain of the invention is more specifically, but withoutlimitation, that of human-machine interfaces based on tactile andcontactless command interfaces.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Portable devices provided with tactile interfaces are well known.Computers provided with a touchscreen, smart phones and tablets can inparticular be listed.

In general, they comprise a command interface superposed on the displayscreen allowing for direct interaction with information or displayelements (via a command object such as a finger or a stylus).

Most of the time, the command interfaces implement capacitivetechnologies.

The most widespread techniques comprise electrodes arranged in the formof lines and columns. Essentially two measurement methods are used forthe detection of command objects.

In a mutual capacitance measurement mode (generally called “mutual”mode), the coupling capacitances between line electrodes and rowelectrodes are measured. When a command object is brought near arecovery area, it disrupts the field lines and modifies the measuredmutual capacitance. This method is limited to measurements by contactbecause of the low sensitivity thereof. In contrast, it is able tounambiguously detect several command objects simultaneously.

In an individual capacitance measurement mode (in general called“self”), the capacitance between each electrode and one or more commandobjects located nearby is measured. With this method, it is possible todetect objects at a distance from the electrodes, and therefore withoutcontact. Just the same, because of the structure of the electrodes inlines and columns, the simultaneous presence of several objectsgenerates phantoms which lead to false detections. The method istherefore essentially limited to the detection of one object at a time.

Command interfaces are known which make use of both techniques and whichtherefore provide:

-   -   the detection of a single, distant command object in “self”        mode;    -   the detection of several objects in contact with the interface        simultaneously by switching to “mutual” mode.

In that way, the human-machine interaction processes which are currentlyknown and which are based on this type of technique only offerpossibilities of interaction at very limited distances.

Furthermore, the interaction modes without contact and by contact(“touchless” and “touch”) are managed separately and sequentially, whichlimits the command possibilities.

In the case of small “smart phone” type terminals, the possibilities forhuman-machine interactions are highly constrained by ergonomic aspects.In fact, if the terminal is handheld, with known human-machineinterfaces, two problems arise:

-   -   The fingers of the hand which holds the device are not usable        for commands and even bend over onto the touchpad and trigger        unintended commands;    -   Therefore, only one hand is left for performing commands with        the limitations brought up previously.

Additionally, capacitive measurement techniques are known which make itpossible to obtain sufficiently high sensitivity in order to detectcommand objects in the neighborhood of individual, small size electrodesat a distance and without contact with the surface of the commandinterface.

The patent FR 2 756 048, for example, is known that describes acapacitive measurement solution with which to detect the position of afinger in contact and in space up to several centimeters distant frommeasurement electrodes.

The object of the present invention is to propose a method forhuman-machine interaction which allows the performance of commandsimplementing the combination of tactile and contactless commands.

The object of the present invention is also to propose a human-machineinteraction process well-suited to the ergonomic constraints of usingsmart phone type devices.

The purpose of the present invention is also to propose a human-machineinteraction process which allows using both hands for controlling smartphone type portable devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This objective is achieved with a process for interacting with anelectronic and/or computer device comprising a command interfaceprovided with capacitive sensors disposed in order to detect commandobjects,

characterized in that it comprises steps of:

-   -   Searching for objects described as contact, corresponding to        command objects in contact with a command interface surface;    -   Searching for objects described as hovering, corresponding to        command objects at a distance from said command interface;    -   Executing a command described as combined when at least one        contact object is present in at least one predefined contact        area and at least one hovering object is present in at least one        predefined hovering area, where said combined command takes into        consideration at least some information concerning said at least        one hovering object.

The process according to the invention can furthermore comprise a stepof execution of a command described as hovering when at least onehovering object is present in at least one predefined hovering area andno contact object is present in at least one predefined contact area.

Depending on the embodiments, the process according to the invention caninclude:

-   -   A step of execution of a combined command derived from a        hovering command (for example with modified execution        parameters);    -   A step of execution of a combined command additionally        considering information about at least one contact object.

Depending on the embodiments, the process according to the invention canadditionally comprise a step of definition of at least one hovering areacorresponding to at least one part of a display screen of the device.

Depending on the embodiments, the process according to the invention canadditionally comprise a step of definition of at least one contact areacorresponding to at least one part of the display screen of the device.

Depending on the embodiments, the process according to the invention canadditionally comprise a step of definition of at least one externalcontact area among:

-   -   At least one peripheral contact area corresponding to a        peripheral area of the display screen of the device;    -   At least one lateral contact area corresponding to an area on        one side of the device substantially perpendicular to the        surface supporting the display screen;    -   At least one rear contact area corresponding to an area on a        surface of the device opposite the surface supporting the        display screen.

The at least one external contact area (e.g. peripheral, lateral orrear) may comprise at least one area accessible with a finger of a handwhich holds the device.

Depending on the embodiments, the method according to the invention cancomprise a step of execution of a combined command implementing aspatial transformation around a reference point on an element shown onthe display screen,

-   -   Where said reference point is defined by the position of a        contact object in a display contact area;    -   Where said spatial transformation depends on a trajectory of at        least one hovering object;    -   Where said spatial transformation comprises at least one        transformation among scaling, rotation and deformation.

Depending on the embodiments, the process according to the invention cancomprise a step of execution of a combined command in response to thedetection of a contact object in an external contact area (e.g.peripheral, lateral or rear), where said combined command comprises:

-   -   A confirmation or selection action in the context of the        execution of a hovering command;    -   A blocking of a hovering command so as to make it insensitive to        the movements or presence of a hovering object;    -   A change in the use of the trajectory or position information of        a hovering object by a hovering command, so as to modify at        least one of the following parameters: sensitivity, movement        direction, switching from a zoom mode to a movement mode.    -   A switching from a hovering command corresponding to a scrolling        of elements on the display screen as a function of the        trajectory or the position of a hovering object to a command for        scrolling sub elements contained in one of said elements as a        function of the trajectory or the position of said hovering        object.

According to another aspect, a command interface for interacting with anelectronic and/or computer device, which includes capacitive sensors andelectronic and calculation means disposed for:

-   -   Detecting command objects;    -   Searching for objects described as contact, corresponding to        command objects in contact with a command interface surface;    -   Searching for objects described as hovering, corresponding to        command objects at a distance from said command interface;    -   Triggering execution of a command described as combined when at        least one contact object is present in at least one predefined        contact area and at least one hovering object is present in at        least one predefined hovering area, where said combined command        takes into consideration at least some information concerning        said at least one hovering object.

According to embodiments, the command interface from the invention caninclude:

-   -   Capacitive electrodes and guard elements excited to a guard        electric potential substantially equal or exactly equal to the        electric potential of said capacitive electrodes;    -   Capacitive electrodes arranged according to a matrix structure,        where each capacitive electrode measures capacitance between        said capacitive electrode and one or more command object(s).

According to another aspect, an electronic or computer device isproposed comprising a command interface according to the invention.

According to some embodiments, the device according to the invention cancomprise:

-   -   A display screen, and a command interface with transparent        capacitive electrodes arranged on said display screen;    -   A command interface disposed so as to allow the detection of        contact objects in at least one predefined contact area external        to the display screen, based on measurements coming from        capacitive electrodes arranged on the display screen;    -   A command interface with capacitive electrodes arranged on at        least one side of the device substantially perpendicular to the        surface supporting the display screen, and/or on one face of the        device opposite the face supporting the display screen and which        are arranged so as to be able to be located within reach of the        fingers of a hand holding the device.

The device according to the invention can in particular be smart phoneor tablet type.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS

Other advantages and specifics of the invention will appear upon readingthe detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are inno way limiting:

FIG. 1 shows a smart phone type electronic device according to theinvention with the display screen provided with a touch interface, suchas held in hand;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a smart phone type electronic deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of electronics for detection for a commandinterface according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for the process according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows modes of interaction with an electronic device according tothe invention involving a detection area corresponding to the displayscreen;

FIG. 6 shows modes of interaction with an electronic device according tothe invention involving detection areas corresponding to the displayscreen;

It is well understood that the embodiments or implementations which willbe described subsequently are in no way limiting. In particular one canimagine variants of the invention only comprising a selection offeatures described subsequently isolated from other features described,if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technicaladvantage or distinguish the invention compared to the state of theprior art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferablyfunctional without structural details or with only a portion of thestructural details, if this part alone is sufficient to confer atechnical advantage or for distinguishing the invention compared to thestate of the technical art.

In particular all the variants and all the embodiments described can becombined with each other if at the technical level nothing prevents thiscombination.

In the figures, the elements appearing in several figures retain thesame reference.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an electronic device 12 accordingto the invention, designed for being handheld, is going to be described.

In the embodiment shown, this device is of portable phone or smart phonetype. It is however well understood that these functions are in no waylimiting. The embodiments described could just as well be implemented ona tablet type computer or on any electronic device of similar shape.

The device 12 comprises a display screen 13.

It also includes a command interface with, in particular, transparentcapacitive measurement electrodes 14 arranged on the display screen 13.

These capacitive measurement electrodes 14 are disposed so as to be ableto detect command objects 10, such as for example fingers 10, near or incontact with the surface.

They are implemented in a substantially transparent conducting material,such as for example ITO (indium tin oxide) deposited on a dielectricmaterial (e.g. glass or polymer). They are superposed on a displayscreen 13, for example of TFT (thin-film transistor) or OLED (organiclight-emitting diode) type.

The display screen 13 and the command interface with measurementelectrodes 14 constitute a human-machine interface which allowsinteraction with the device 12.

The surface covered by the measurement electrodes 14 defines a detectionarea for command objects 10 called screen detection area 15.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the commandinterface of the device 12 also includes detection areas which areexternal or on the edge of the display screen 13 which are arranged soas to allow more varied interactions with the user.

These external detection areas are positioned so as to be accessible tothe command objects 10 corresponding to fingers of the hand or handswhich hold the device 12

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the device includes atleast one peripheral detection area 16 located on the edge of the screen13 on the same surface therewith. This peripheral detection area 16 isplaced so as to be accessible in particular to the thumb of the hand 11which holds the device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the device also includesat least a lateral detection area 20 located on the edge or the side ofthe device 12. This lateral detection area 20 is placed so as to beaccessible in particular to the thumb of the hand 11 which holds thedevice.

Depending on the embodiments, the peripheral detection area 16 and/orthe lateral detection area 20 can comprise capacitive measurementelectrodes which are distinct from those for the display screen 13.

According to other preferred embodiments, capacitive measurementelectrodes for the periphery of the screen 13 are used in order todetect command objects 10 in the peripheral detection areas 16 and/or inthe lateral detection areas 20 (or in a detection area encompassingperipheral detection areas 16 and lateral detection areas 20 such asshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

In fact, these capacitive electrodes from the edge are sensitive to thepresence of command objects 10 beyond the limits of the screen 13. Bycomparing their measurements with those obtained by electrodes locatedcloser to the interior of the screen 13, it is possible to determinethat a detected command object 10 is located in a peripheral 16 orlateral 20 detection area, and not above the screen 13. This detectionmode can be called a detection by edge effect.

In this case, the device according to the invention might not comprisecapacitive measurement electrodes in the peripheral 16 and/or lateral 20detection areas.

It should be noted that the peripheral detection area 16 and the lateraldetection area 20 as shown in the figures are also accessible to otherfingers besides the index finger when the device is held in the lefthand.

Other configurations, not shown, are of course possible in the contextof the invention. Thus, depending on embodiment variants, the deviceaccording to the invention can comprise:

-   -   At least one lateral detection area 20 and/or at least one        peripheral detection area 16;    -   At least two lateral detection areas 20 and/or at least two        peripheral detection areas 16 arranged symmetrically around the        display screen 13;    -   At least one lateral detection area 20 and/or at least one        peripheral detection area 16 located on or facing the sides of        the device in contact with the index fingers when the device is        held by two hands, for example with the display screen oriented        in “landscape” mode.

With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of detection electronics is nowgoing to be described which serves to implement a command interface.

In this embodiment, the capacitive electrodes 39 (which correspond tothe measurement electrodes 14 of the screen 13 and/or to the measurementelectrodes of the external detection areas) serve to detect the presenceand/or to measure the distance of at least one command object 10 intheir vicinity.

In particular, the capacitive electrodes 39 corresponding to themeasurement electrodes 14 of the screen 13 and their associatedelectronics are disposed so as to allow the simultaneous detection ofseveral command objects 10 in different configurations, including inparticular:

-   -   Command objects 10 in contact with the surface of the screen 13;    -   Command objects 10 at a distance from the surface of the screen        13;    -   Some command objects 10 in contact with the surface of the        screen 13 and others at a distance.

The position of the one or more command objects 10 relative to thedevice 12 (and/or their location in a detection area) is determinedbased on the position of the measurement electrodes 39 which detectedthese command objects 10.

The distance between the command objects 10 and the electrodes 39, or atleast information representative of this distance, is determined basedon capacitive coupling measurements between these electrodes 39 in thecommand objects 10.

With this embodiment, sufficient measurement sensitivity can be obtainedin order to detect and locate command objects 10 which are in contactwith the surface of the device 12 or with electrodes 14 in particular orwhich move near the device 12 at a nonzero distance from the surfacethereof.

Guard elements, in the form of guard electrodes or guard planes (notshown), are positioned along the rear surface of measurement electrodes39, relative to the detection areas for command objects 10. The functionof these guard elements is to avoid parasitic electrical couplingsbetween the measurement electrodes 39 and their environment, as will beexplained later.

In the case of the display screen 13, the guard elements are also madeof a substantially transparent conducting material, such as for exampleITO (indium tin oxide). They are separated from the measurementelectrodes 16 by a layer of dielectric material.

The measurement electrodes 39 are connected to electronic means ofcapacitive measurement 37.

These electronic means of capacitance measurement 37 are made in theform of a floating-point capacitive measurement system such as describedfor example in the Rozière patent FR 2 756 048.

The detection circuit includes a portion described as floating 36 forwhich the reference potential 31, called guard potential 31, oscillatesrelative to the overall system ground 33, or to earth ground. Thealternating potential difference between the guard potential 31 and theground 33 is generated by an excitation source, or an oscillator 34.

The guard elements are connected to the guard potential 31.

The floating part 36 includes the sensitive part for the capacitivedetection, shown in FIG. 3 by a charge amplifier. It can of courseinclude other means of signal processing and conditioning, includingdigital or microprocessor-based, also referenced to guard potential 31.With these means of processing and conditioning, distance and pressureinformation can be calculated, for example, from the capacitivemeasurement.

The electrical supply for the floating-point 36 is provided by floatingmeans of supply transfer 35 comprising for example DC-DC converters.

With this capacitive measurement system, capacitance information betweenat least one measurement electrodes 39 and one command object 10 can bemeasured.

The command object 10 must be connected to a different potential thanthe guard potential 31, such as the ground potential 33 for example. Weare well within this configuration when the command object 10 is afinger of a user, whose body defines a ground, or an object (such as astylus) handled by this user.

Using a set of switches or analog switches 30, driven by electroniccontrol means, a measurement electrode 39 can be selected and connectedto the capacitive detection electronics 37 in order to measure thecapacitive coupling with the control object 10. The switches 30 areconfigured such that the measurement electrode 39 is connected either tothe capacitive detection electronics 37 or to the guard potential 31.

The sensitive part of the detection is protected by guard shielding 32connected to guard potential 31.

In that way, a measurement electrode 39 connected by a switch 30 to thecapacitive detection electronics 37 (or active measurement electrode 39)has guard planes near it made up at least in part by inactivemeasurement electrodes 39 and by guard elements connected to the guardpotential 31.

Since the active measurement electrode 39 is also at guard potential 31the appearance of parasitic capacitances between this electrode and itsenvironment is thus avoided such that only the coupling with the objectof interest is measured with a maximum sensitivity.

The outlet of the floating electronics 36 is connected to the deviceelectronics 38 referenced to the ground by electrical connectionscompatible with the difference in reference potentials. These links cancomprise, for example, differential amplifiers or optical couplers.

With the switches 30, the measurement electrodes 14 from the screen 13and the measurement electrodes from the external detection areas can inthat way be sequentially polled or queried.

Of course, several electronic pathways for capacitive detection 37 canbe implemented in parallel each controlling a subset of electrodes 39.An electronic pathway for capacitive detection 37 can for example beimplemented in order to control the electrodes 14 of the screen 13 andan electronic pathway for capacitive detection 37 in order to controlthe electrodes in the external detection areas.

We are now going to describe examples of implementation methods of thecontrol process according to the invention in order to interact with adevice such as the one described in connection with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

Of course, these embodiments are nonlimiting examples.

Additionally, the control process according to the invention can beimplemented on a device in addition to or in parallel with other knowncontrol or command generation processes.

The device 12 such as described in relation to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 in FIG. 3is an example of a device specifically suited to implement the controlprocess according to the invention. However, the control processaccording to the invention can be understood to be implemented in anysuitable device without going outside the scope of the invention.

In the control processes for tactile and contactless command interfacesfrom the prior art, two types of commands are typically found:

-   -   Commands described as contact which are executed when one        command object touches the tactile command interface. It can,        for example, involve commands for selection of an element        displayed on the screen 13 (e.g. selection of a piece of music,        selection of an email in order to display the content, etc.) or        for approval.    -   Commands described as hovering, which are executed when a        control object 10 is detected near the surface of the command        interface. It can, for example, involve commands for moving        displayed items or for opening a pop-up window making it        possible to view the content.

For convenience, a command object 10 which touches the surface of thetactile command interface is named a contact object and a command object10 which is detected near the surface of the command interface is nameda hovering object.

With reference to FIG. 4, according to the control process from theinvention, another type of command is introduced, called combinedcommand 43, which is triggered when at least one contact object ispresent in at least one predefined contact area and at least onehovering object is present in at least one predefined hovering area.

Therefore in general, the process according to the invention includessteps of:

-   -   Searching 40 for hovering objects;    -   Searching 41 for contact objects;    -   Execution of the combined command 43 if at least one contact        object is present in at least one predefined contact area or        potentially execution of a hovering command 42 in the other        case.

The steps of searching 40 for hovering objects and searching 41 forcontact objects can of course be done in any order.

The predefined contact areas and the predefined hovering areas areselected among the screen detection areas 15 and the external detectionareas of the command interface such as defined in connection with FIG. 1and FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments of the control processaccording to the invention, the predefined contact and hovering areasare included in the screen detection area 15.

In this case, the process according to the invention can be implementedin a device 12 whose command interface is limited to a touchpad 13, inso far as the capacitive sensors used are capable of simultaneouslydetecting at least one contact object and at least one hovering object.

According to a sample embodiment, the process according to the inventioncomprises the execution of a combined command 43 implementing a spatial(or geometric) transformation around a reference point 51 on an element50 (such as a preselected image) shown on the display screen 13:

-   -   A first command object 10 (a finger or a stylus), or contact        object, is placed on the surface of the touchpad 13. The        position thereof defines a reference point 51;    -   The second command object 10 (another finger), or hovering        object, is moved above the surface of the touchpad 13 along a        two- or three-dimensional trajectory 52;    -   The element 50 is then moved or deformed as a function of the        selected spatial transformation, which can include for example        scaling, rotation or deformation. The reference point 51 serves        as the origin for the transformation. It therefore corresponds        to a center of rotation such as shown in FIG. 4 for rotation, or        a fixed area for scaling or deformation.

A movement of the contact object on the surface of the touchpad canadditionally allow, as selected, movement of the element 50 on thedisplay 13 or movement of the reference point 51 relative to the element50.

With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the control processaccording to the invention, the predefined contact and hovering areascorrespond to distinct detection areas of the command interface.

In particular, in some embodiments:

-   -   The predefined hovering area is included in the screen detection        area 15;    -   The contact area corresponds to at least one external detection        area such as a lateral detection area 20 and/or a peripheral        detection area 16. It is then called respectively lateral        contact area 20 or peripheral contact area 16.

A lateral detection area 20 arranged on the edge of the device 12 so asto be easily accessible with a finger (a command object 10) of a handholding this device 12 can for example be used as a contact area.

According to embodiment examples, the process according to the inventioncan include execution of a combined command 43 in response to thedetection of a contact object 10 in a peripheral 16 or lateral 20contact area.

It is then possible with the fingers of the hand 11 holding the device12 to perform actions which serve to modify the hovering commands 42done by moving a hovering object above the screen 13 or to addadditional controls thereto. The possibilities for interactions with thedevice are in that way considerably increased.

For example:

-   -   A “tap” or extended press 60 of the contact object 10 in a        peripheral 16 or lateral 20 contact area can be used as        confirmation or selection command in connection with the        execution of a hovering command 42;    -   A “tap” or extended press 60 of a contact object 10 in a        peripheral 16 or lateral contact area can be used for        temporarily blocking a hovering command 42, so as to allow        movement or withdrawal of the hovering object without        introducing an additional hovering command 42. In particular,        the display 13 can be made momentarily insensitive in this way        to movements 52 or the presence of a hovering object;    -   A “tap”, prolonged press 60 or movement 61 of the contact object        10 in a peripheral 16 or lateral 20 contact area can be used in        order to modify the way in which a hovering command 42, which        performs a movement or spatial transformation of an element 50        (such as a graphical image or object) on the display 13,        interprets or considers trajectory or position information 52 of        a hovering object. In particular, at least one of the following        parameters can be modified: sensitivity, direction of movement,        or switching from a zoom mode (modification of the size of the        element 50) to a movement mode (of the element 50 on the screen        13);    -   A “tap” or prolonged press 60 of a contact object 10 in a        peripheral 16 or lateral contact area can be used in order to        transform a hovering command 42 corresponding to a scrolling of        elements 40 on the display screen 13 as a function of the        trajectory or position 52 of a hovering object into a command        corresponding to a scrolling of sub elements contained in one of        the elements 50 (still as a function of the trajectory or        position 52 of the hovering object).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which were justdescribed and many improvements can be made to these examples withoutgoing outside the scope of the invention.

1. A method for interacting with a computing device comprising a commandinterface provided with capacitive sensors disposed in order to detectcommand objects, comprising: searching for command objects in contactwith a command interface surface; searching for command objects at adistance from said command interface; and executing a combined commandwhen at least one contact object is present in at least one predefinedcontact area and at least one hovering object is present in at least onepredefined hovering area, where said combined command takes intoconsideration at least some information concerning said at least onehovering object.
 2. The method according to claim 1, additionallycomprising executing a hovering command when at least one hoveringobject is present in the at least one predefined hovering area and nocontact object is present in the at least one predefined contact area.3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising executing thecombined command derived from the hovering command.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising executing the combined command additionallyconsidering information about the at least one contact object.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, additionally comprising defining at least onehovering area corresponding to at least one part of a display screen ofthe device.
 6. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising definingat least one contact area corresponding to at least one part of thedisplay screen of the device.
 7. The method of claim 5, additionallycomprising defining at least one external contact area among: at leastone peripheral contact area corresponding to a peripheral area of thedisplay screen of the device; at least one lateral contact areacorresponding to an area on one side of the device substantiallyperpendicular to the surface supporting the display screen; and at leastone rear contact area corresponding to an area on a face of the deviceopposite the face supporting the display screen.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein at least one external contact area comprises at least onearea accessible with a finger of a hand which holds the device.
 9. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising executing a combined commandimplementing a spatial transformation around a reference point on anelement shown on the display screen, wherein said reference point isdefined by the position of a contact object in a display contact area;wherein said spatial transformation depends on a trajectory of at leastone hovering object; and wherein said spatial transformation comprisesat least one transformation among scaling, rotation and deformation. 10.The method of claim 7, further comprising executing the combined commandin response to the detection of a contact object in an external contactarea, where said combined command comprises: a confirmation or selectionaction in the context of the execution of a hovering command; a blockingof a hovering command so as to make it insensitive to the movements orpresence of a hovering object; a change in the use of trajectory orposition information of a hovering object by a hovering command, so asto modify at least one of the following parameters: sensitivity,movement direction, switching from a zoom mode to a movement mode; and aswitching from a hovering command corresponding to a scrolling ofelements on the display screen as a function of the trajectory or theposition of a hovering object to a command for scrolling sub elementscontained in one of said elements as a function of the trajectory or theposition of said hovering object.
 11. A command interface forinteracting with an electronic and/or computer device, characterized inthat it comprises capacitive sensors and device electronics configuredfor: detecting command objects; searching for objects described ascontact, corresponding to command objects in contact with a commandinterface surface; searching for objects described as hovering,corresponding to command objects at a distance from said commandinterface; executing a command described as combined when at least onecontact object is present in at least one predefined contact area and atleast one hovering object is present in at least one predefined hoveringarea, where said combined command takes into consideration at least someinformation concerning said at least one hovering object.
 12. Thecommand interface of claim 11, further comprising capacitive electrodesand guard elements excited to a guard electric potential substantiallyequal or exactly equal to the electric potential of said capacitiveelectrodes.
 13. The command interface of claim 11, further comprisingcapacitive electrodes arranged according to a matrix structure, whereeach capacitive electrode measures capacitance between said capacitiveelectrode and one or more command objects.
 14. A computing devicecomprising the command interface according to claim
 11. 15. Thecomputing device of claim 14, further comprising a display screen, thecommand interface having transparent capacitive electrodes arranged onsaid display screen.
 16. The computing device of claim 15, the commandinterface disposed so as to allow the detection of contact objects in atleast one predefined contact area external to the display screen, basedon measurements coming from capacitive electrodes arranged on thedisplay screen.
 17. The computing device of claim 15, the commandinterface including capacitive electrodes arranged on at least one sideof the device substantially perpendicular to the surface supporting thedisplay screen, and/or on the face of the device opposite the facesupporting the display screen and which are arranged so as to be able tobe located within reach of the fingers of a hand holding the device. 18.The device of claim 14, which is smart phone or tablet type.